[457]The call to become members of this glorious bride class is
beautifully pictured by the Psalmist thus: "Hearken, O daughter, and
consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy
father's house; so shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is
thy Lord; and worship thou him". (Psalm 45:10,11) Responding to that
call, one consecrates his all to the Lord, is begotten of the holy
spirit, and henceforth being borne up by the spirit of the Lord through
his Word grows in the likeness of his Master and prepares for the coming
of the beloved Bridegroom. The death of Sarah, Abraham's wife, pictures
the end of the Sarah-Abrahamic covenant, from which springs the bride of
Christ; and Isaac receiving Rebekah and taking her as his wife after his
mother's death foreshadowed the complete union of Christ Jesus the
bridegroom and the church his bride at the end of the world.
[458]Throughout the entire gospel age from Pentecost until now the Lord
has been preparing his bride, the church. Many have been called, but few
have been chosen, and still fewer will be faithful; but only the
faithful ones will he receive. Just before his departure at the time of
his first advent he said: "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it
were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And
if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you
unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
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